As I write this I’m on the final leg of my journey, and I can’t believe I’ve actually made it to Nantes. Changing trains, running to connections with only a few minutes leeway, and aimlessly following signs based on blind trust of stranger’s directions made this trip, shall we say, as stressful day. Trying to do all of this while wheeling around a suitcase and a bike made it that much more fun. I have more chainring tattoos on my calves from trying to negotiate that bike around than when I was racing in cat 4. Not very PRO of me…
Anyway, I’ve finally made it to Nantes and in the good hands of Veeral. Tomorrow we’ll chase the race and try to get some good photos. I’ll be learning everything I can off Veeral since he’s learned so much during the Giro and Dauphine. I’m very excited.
I can’t offer any insight to today’s TTT as I didn’t see any of it, but Stage 3 will be a day for the sprinters. If we’re lucky, the wind from the coast will be blowing a gale and we’ll see some good crosswinds action split the field. Unfortunately the forecast isn’t predicting much wind, but we can always hope.
Until tomorrow, over and out!
Photos
courtesy of Veeral Patel
Stage 2 Profile:
Stage 2 Results
1. TEAM GARMIN-CERVELO, in 24:48
2. BMC RACING TEAM, in 24:52, at 00:04
3. SKY PROCYCLING, in 24:52, at 00:04
4. TEAM LEOPARD-TREK, in 24:52, at 00:04
5. HTC-HIGHROAD, in 24:53, at 00:05
6. TEAM RADIOSHACK, in 24:58, at 00:10
7. RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM, in 25:00, at 00:12
8. SAXO BANK SUNGARD, in 25:16, at 00:28
9. PRO TEAM ASTANA, in 25:20, at 00:32
10. OMEGA PHARMA-LOTTO, in 25:27, at 00:39
11. FDJ, in 25:34, at 00:46
12. TEAM EUROPCAR, in 25:38, at 00:50
13. AG2R LA MONDIALE, in 25:41, at 00:53
14. QUICK STEP CYCLING TEAM, in 25:44, at 00:56
15. LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE, in 25:45, at 00:57
16. SAUR-SOJASUN, in 25:50, at 01:02
17. LAMPRE-ISD, in 25:52, at 01:04
18. KATUSHA TEAM, in 25:52, at 01:04
19. MOVISTAR TEAM, in 25:57, at 01:09
20. VACANSOLEIL-DCM, in 26:03, at 01:15
21. COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE, in 26:08, at 01:20
22. EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI, in 26:10, at 01:22
General Classification after Stage 2
1 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Team Garmin-Cervelo 5:06:25
2 David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Cervelo
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:01
4 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling 0:00:04
5 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Leopard Trek
6 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek
7 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Leopard Trek
8 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling
9 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC Racing Team
10 Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek
…
19 Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) HTC-Highroad
71 Mark Renshaw (Aus) HTC-Highroad 0:01:24
79 Stuart O’Grady (Aus) Leopard Trek 0:01:53
89 Richie Porte (Aus) Saxo Bank Sungard
114 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Sky Procycling 0:02:53
Stage 3 Preview